Skolkovo joins forces with Russian Space Systems

The Skolkovo Foundation signed a cooperation agreement with Russian Space Systems, a major designer and producer of space technology, at the MAKS international aviation and space salon on Wednesday.

Under the agreement, the two sides will work together to support Skolkovo resident startups and help with the commercialisation and introduction to the market of their products. The deal also foresees the creation of a Russian Space Systems partner centre at the Skolkovo innovation city outside Moscow, as well as joint research programmes with the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech).

“Signing an agreement with a Russian space industry player such as Russian Space Systems is very significant for the entire Skolkovo ecosystem,” said Alexei Belyakov, head of Skolkovo’s manufacturing, nuclear and space technologies cluster.

“At the same time, the cooperation agreement is the logical outcome of accumulated experience of collaboration, including investment by Russian Space Systems in resident companies of the Skolkovo Foundation,” he said.

“We expect new deals and hope that our companies will be able to enter the production chains of Russian Space Systems,” added Belyakov.

The two organisations will cooperate in areas including the GLONASS satellite navigation system, spacecraft control systems, space search and rescue systems and Earth-based centres for receiving and processing information obtained from remote sensing. They will also work together on unmanned aerial systems and related services, and systems for the industrial monitoring and optimisation of manufacturing equipment.

“Attracting the potential provided by hi-tech startups creating unique products for the market is part of Russian Space Systems’ strategy,” said Andrei Tyulin, general director of Russian Space Systems, adding that his company already has positive experience of cooperation with the Skolkovo Foundation, including in the creation of small spacecraft solutions.

“We also see a mutual interest in working on promising solutions for navigation, remote sensing and the development of unmanned aerial systems,” said Tyulin.